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Volleyball11/06/2016

World Grand Prix Group 1 in full swing

Brazil have their stars Sheilla Castro and Thaisa Menezes back after missing last year's edition

Lausanne, Switzerland, June 10, 2016 – The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Group 1 competition gets into overdrive as the eight other teams started their campaigns, while Brazil are off to a hot start with two wins and Italy offset their loss with a revival win on Friday.

Puerto Rico remain as the only unbeaten team in Group 2 following their victory over Kenya at Wloclawek in Poland, while Bulgaria suffered their first loss in the hands of the Dominican Republic.

Croatia and Peru are the only two undefeated squads in Group 3, with victories over former World Grand Prix champions Cuba and former African champions Algeria, respectively.

Brazil dazzled in their 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-15) win over Japan for their second consecutive win in the tournament. Thaisa Menezes marked her return with a 19-point output to lead Brazil, while Yukiko Ebata and Mami Uchiseto scored 10 points apiece for Japan.

“I am practicing really hard and it is really good to be back in the court with the national team after my knee surgeries last year,” Menezes said. “I am ready to help my team in the best way possible.”

After losing to Brazil on the group’s opening day, Italy bounced back with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-19, 29-31, 25-17) win over European rivals Serbia. Miriam Fatime Sylla helped Italy by posting 20 markers, including 16 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Jovana Brakocevic scored 15 points for Serbia.

The four squads in Pool B1, which have all qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, are taking advantage of the opportunity to get the feel of playing at an Olympic Venue such as Carioca Arena 1, before the quadrennial kicks off in August.

China emerged on top of the table in Pool A1, as they stunned their Asian neighbours Thailand 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-11). China’s Zhu Ting won the score fest against Thailand’s Ajcharaporn Kongyot, who scored 18 and 17 points, respectively. Zhu led the Chinese side on defence as they mounted 11 blocks on the Thailand.

The United States started their campaign for title defence with a win over Germany 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-12) in Pool A1. USA dominated Germany in each set, as Alisha Glass distributed the ball well as Kelsey Robinson, Kelly Murphy, Kim Hill and Alexis Crimes all contributed well on their positions. Robinson top scored for USA with 11 points, followed by Murphy’s 10-point contribution. Louisa Lippman was Germany’s top scorer with 10 points.

In Group 2, Puerto Rico still lead the race after they ended the first weekend with a 3-0 record. The Puerto Ricans, led by Karina Ocasio and Lynda Morales, thumped Kenya 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-22) to maintain their win-record in Pool D2. Ocasio and Morales scored 10 points each, while Everlyn Makuto top scored for Kenya with eight points.

Poland improved their win-loss record to 3-1 after they trounced Argentina in a 3-2 (25-23, 24-26, 25-15, 23-25, 15-10) encounter. Berenika Tomsia was still in her top scoring form and finished with 31 markers, while Josefina Fernandez tallied 17 points on a losing effort.

Bulgaria, which had a 3-0 win-record last weekend, fell into the hands of the Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-23) to drop to 3-1 in Pool C2, while Czech Republic improved their record to 2-2 with their win over Canada 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-21).

Meanwhile, in Group 3, Peru and Croatia are on top of Pool D3 with 4-0 cards. Samanta Fabris of Croatia had a superb 19-point performance in their 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-13) win over Cuba, while Angela Leyva of Peru topped all scorers with 20 points in their 3-0 (25-9, 25-9, 25-11) win over Algeria.

In Pool C3, Kazakhstan won over continental rivals Australia 3-0 (25-14, 25-6, 25-20). The Kazakhs had a great service game with five aces that pressured the Australian defence. In the second match, hosts Colombia snapped their losing streak, as Kenny Pino Moreno and Madelaynne Montano chipped in 17 and 14 points, respectively.

Player statistics

Top Scorer by Day

31 – Berenika Tomsia of Poland v Argentina on June 10

31 - Angela Leyva of Peru v Kazakhstan on June 3

25 - Bethania De La Cruz De Peña of Dominican Republic v Argentina on June 4

29 – Berenika Tomsia of Poland v Puerto Rico on June 5

20 - Sarina Koga of Japan v Serbia on June 9

Top Scoring Performances

31 - Angela Leyva of Peru v Kazakhstan on June 3

29 – Berenika Tomsia of Poland v Puerto Rico on June 5

26 - Emiliya Nikolova of Bulgaria v Dominican Republic on June 3

26 – Heidy Rodriguez Lopez of Cuba v Colombia on June 5

25 - Bethania De La Cruz De Peña of Dominican Republic v Argentina on June 4